Leader in Public Affairs: Zara Harrington, Head of Public Affairs, Diageo – “Luck is when preparation meets opportunity”

Mace | 3rd August 2026 | In-House Public Affairs, Westminster Index

From navigating regulation and trade policy to aligning advocacy with commercial strategy, Diageo’s Zara Harington's career in public affairs has been about understanding how political decisions translate into real-world business outcomes.

“The direct link to a business’ operations and its commercial priorities” is what makes public affairs compelling for Zara Harington. As Head of Public Affairs at Diageo, she works at the point where government policy, regulation and commercial strategy meet — and where decisions made in Westminster and beyond can have immediate implications for a global consumer business.

That connection, she says, is what distinguishes in-house public affairs from other roles in the industry. “You can see first-hand the impact public affairs and government relations has — and that’s exciting.” In a company like Diageo, where regulation, taxation and trade policy are constant factors shaping the operating environment, the feedback loop between policy decisions and business outcomes is unusually visible.

Working in a global consumer goods company also means navigating a policy landscape that is both highly regulated and highly scrutinised. Issues ranging from alcohol duty and advertising standards to international trade, supply chains and sustainability all require careful engagement with policymakers. For public affairs teams, that means balancing multiple priorities: protecting the business, contributing to policy development and ensuring that regulation is workable in practice.

Harington’s focus on the “direct link” between policy and operations reflects a broader shift in the profession. …

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